Transgender woman from Bristol jailed for 9 years after assaulting friend
Crawford denied the offences, saying she had "blacked out" during the incident
Last updated 15th Jun 2024
A serious sexual offender who identifies as a woman has been sent to a male prison after being convicted for attacking a friend.
2\4 year old Lexi-Rose Crawford from Bristol has been jailed for 9 years following the incident back in 2019.
She has been handed the sentence for one count of rape and one of assault by penetration relating to an incident in April that year.
It's thought Crawford started to identify as a woman before the incident - but after she had been released from prison for earlier sex offences.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Crawford had contacted the victim on Facebook and gone to her home to play video games.
She sexually assaulted the woman, who repeatedly asked to her stop, before raping her.
At Bristol Crown Court, she denied the offences, saying she 'blacked out' at the time of the incident.
However, a trial today (May 10) convicted her of the offences unanimously.
Judge Michael Longman sentenced Crawford to nine years in prison for the rape and six years and six months for the assault by penetration, which will run concurrently.
Crawford has been sent to a male prison following her sentence, in line with a Government policy which came into force in February 2023, with the guidance saying that transgender people who have male genitalia or who have committed sexual offences will not be house in a prison for women.
"She wouldn't listen"
During sentencing, the judge said Crawford's convictions were "particularly serious" given her history of offending.
The judge directed that there should be a restraining order, preventing Crawford from contacting the victim, and the defendant must sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
In a victim personal statement, it was revealed she suffered from "flashbacks and nightmares" and had been forced to move house because of the attack, which happened in her own home.
The statement added: "My trust in males was low prior to this incident.
"After the incident, my trust in males diminished even more.
"My trust in people generally has been affected. Lexi was supposed to be my friend."
Charley Pattison, representing Crawford, said she had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, autism and gender dysphoria.
Ms Pattison added: "Lexi-Rose says she feels she blacked out during these events, she doesn't have a recollection of it.
"She gets very upset thinking about it. She was only 20 at the time. This happened on licence but since 2019 she has not been in any trouble. She is extremely sad and upset.
"This is not someone who was arrested, interviewed and had the support of a loving family to get her through the years that would pass."
Her trial concluded with a unanimous decision and Crawford will serve two thirds of her sentence before being released on licence.
NHS help after rape and sexual assault can be found here.
The SARSAS website can give support for people affected by rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives.